Steer Clear Of Unnecessary Medications For Sinus Infections
People often come to the doctor looking to pull the trigger on antibiotics when they have sinusitis, Dr. Del Signore says. But if symptoms have occurred for less than a week and you dont have other serious symptoms or a comorbid condition, you do not need a prescription for this medicine, he says.
According to the National Institutes of Health, antibiotics are not effective against the viruses that typically cause sinusitis. Whats more, the NIH says, even those brought on by bacteria dont typically resolve faster with antibiotic treatment.
Meanwhile, the overuse of antibiotics has led to an increase in germs that are resistant to these crucial drugs. And antibiotics can have side effects, including stomach and bowel problems and fungal infections, the NIH says.
Similarly, children should not be given the drugstore decongestants that are typically a staple of home medicine chests.
According to a study published in October 2018 in the British Medical Journal, there is no evidence decongestants do anything to help nasal symptoms in children. Children younger than 6 should never be given these medicines, while those 6 to 12 should take them with caution, because any benefit is likely to be outweighed by side effects like upset stomach or drowsiness, the study authors conclude.
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Eucalyptus Or Peppermint Essential Oils
Eucalyptus and peppermint oils have long been used to relieve acute upper respiratory problems, from bronchitis to the ever-popular Vicks Vap-O-Rub, which harnesses the scent of both medicinal plants to open up the nasal passages. Both eucalyptus and peppermint oils are naturally antimicrobial and gentle enough to be applied directly to the bridge of the nose to help open up nasal passages. Our favorite way to use them is to put them in a humidifier of a bedroom to promote passive healing while you sleep . According to one study by the University of Michigan, the active ingredient in eucalyptus oil, cineole, may speed recovery from acute sinusitis when inhaled .
Herbs For The Sinuses
If you have ever had a sinus infection, also called sinusitis, you know how debilitating and painful they can be. Sinus infections are most often caused by the common cold. Other triggers include allergies, ear infections, structural abnormalities, and bacterial infections . If an infection has been long term, look for a fungal or dental infection.
Read Also: What Are Some Symptoms Of Sinus Problems
Home Remedies For Acute Sinusitis
First, note that we recommend these natural remedies for acute sinusitis, which is generally a result of allergies or a cold. Chronic sinus infections can linger for months. Or they can continue to recur over a long period of time. So if your symptoms are more severe and persistent, we always recommend seeing a doctor.
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What Causes Sinus Infection
A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinuses. The sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones around the nose. They are lined with a thin layer of mucous membrane.
The most common cause of sinus infections is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Bacteria can also cause sinus infections, but this is much less common. Allergies, environmental irritants, and structural problems in the nose can also lead to sinusitis.
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Naturally Treating A Sinus Infection At Home
The key to sinusitis relief is to promote natural mucus drainage from the sinus cavities. This drainage can be achieved by reducing the swelling and eliminating the blockage. The most common natural remedies for sinus congestion include the use of sterile water to break up the obstruction so that mucus can drain as intended. Two options for introducing water into nasal cavity involve the use of steamed water or a sinus rinse.
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Written by Emily Spring
Emily Spring is the Director of Marketing at Plant People. A longtime proponent of balanced living, she has enjoyed over 8 years driving growth in the lifestyle, health and wellness sectors with deep experience in functional solutions for optimizing anyone’s everyday life.
Reviewed by Gabe Kennedy
Gabe is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. You can learn more about his work at his website.
Ginger Tea With Garlic
Ginger tea with garlic contains antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, due to the presence of substances like alicin and phenolic compounds, shogaol and zingerone . These substances help to treat symptoms of sinusitis like plugged nose, runny nose, sore throat and general malaise.
This tea also helps to strengthen the immune system and decreases the duration of the sinus infection.
Ingredients
- 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced in half
- 1 cm of ginger root, or about 1/2 a teaspoon of powdered ginger
- 3 cups of water
- Honey to sweeten
How to prepare
Boil the water with the garlic. Removed from the heat, and add the ginger and honey. Strain the infusion and drink.
Ginger should not be consumed by people who take anticoagulants, and therefore should be avoided in the tea in these cases. During pregnancy, you should not exceed 1 g of ginger per day, for up to 4 days.
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How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection Naturally
Sinus sufferers who want real relief without pharmaceutical side effects have discovered that natural home remedies for sinus infections are safe and highly effective. These solutions target the underlying inflammation, promote natural sinus drainage, and help prevent additional infections.
The safest and most effective natural solutions involve the use of water in the form of liquid, vapor, or mist. Water penetrates the blockage allowing mucus to drain naturally so that the sinuses can begin the healing process. These solutions have the added benefit of helping to reduce the intensity and duration of sinus symptoms and improving quality of life.
Nasal Irrigation With Sodium Bicarbonate
This home remedy for sinus infection involves the use of sodium bicarbonate, which can be an excellent option for relieving nasal congestion, reducing inflammation and eliminating secretion that caused plugged or runny noses. Sodium bicarbonate prevents the growth of bacteria in the sinuses and treats dryness within the nose, allowing for mucus to become looser.
Ingredients
- 1 nasal irrigator or a 20 ml syringe without the needle
- 1 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate
- 1 cup of warm water
How to prepare
Mix the water with the sodium bicarbonate until fully dissolved and place in the irrigator or syringe. Lean your body forward, with your head tilted slightly to the side. Place the irrigator or syringe in the nostril and press until the solution comes out of the other nostril. It is important to open and breathe through your mouth while performing a nasal rinse.
You can repeat this 2 to 3 times per day in each nostril.
Another way to rinse your sinuses is to use 0.9% saline, which can be prepared at home with warm water and salt.
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Inhaling Vapor With Eucalyptus
A good home remedy for sinusitis is inhaling vapor with eucalyptus, as it contains expectorant and antiseptic properties that quickly relieve nasal congestion. Learn about \. Some people may be more sensitive to the essential oil that is released through the eucalyptus, and may actually experience worsening of symptoms. If you experience worsening with this treatment, stop it immediately.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of boiling water
How to prepare
Place with boiling water in a bowl and add the essential oil and salt. Cover the bowl and your head with a towel and inhale the vapor. It is important to inhale the vapor as deeply as possible for up to 10 minutes. You can repeat this 2 to 3 times per day.
If you do not have essential oil at home, you can also soak eucalyptus leaves in boiling water, as the natural oil will evaporate with the water vapor.
Ayurveda For Sinusitis: The Top Sinusitis Natural Remedies Worth Trying
- Ayurveda for Sinusitis: The Top Sinusitis Natural Remedies Worth Trying
Nearly 75% of people in India use ayurvedic medicine. It is one of the oldest forms of traditional medicine, dating back to 2BC.
The popularity of Ayurveda has spread to the western world over the last few decades. In many countries such as Germany and the UK, doctors can now study ayurvedic practices as part of their medical degree.
The Australiasian Association of Ayurveda Incorporated is also working on getting the practice taught at degree level in Australasia.
Ayurveda provides many natural alternatives to modern medicine for healing and preventing health ailments.
Read on to learn about sinusitis natural remedies from ayurvedic medicine.
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Causes & Risk Factors
Any health situation that blocks off the vital drainage channels of your sinuses can cause a sinus infection including:
- Respiratory infections like the common cold
- Hay fever or exposure to allergens such as cigarette smoke, dry air and pollutants
- Obstructions in the nasal or sinus cavities including nasal polyps, deviated septum, or nasal bone spur
- Non-allergic rhinitis
- Changes in air pressure
- Infections resulting from dental problems
- Physical injury to the sinuses
- Bacteria, viruses, and fungi
The five most common bacteria that can cause sinus infections are: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes.
Risk factors for sinus infections include:
- Being in the hospital, especially if the reason you are in the hospital is related to a head injury or you needed a tube inserted into your nose
Eat More Fruits And Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants like quercetin, a natural plant component found in everything from onions and apples to green tea and red wine. Like many plant ingredients, it is an antioxidant. For sinus problems, quercetin has also been found to stabilize the cells in the body that release histamine the chemical that stimulates mucus secretion in the sinuses.
Quercetin has also been found to be helpful for sinusitis, with a typical oral dose of 400 to 500 mg taken three times per day.
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How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infections In 24 Hours
If you are one of the millions of Americans that battle frequent or long-term sinus infections and are seeking a sinusitis treatment that does not involve risky surgery, there is good news sinusitis treatment is available. Balloon Sinuplasty is a safe and minimally invasive solution for long-lasting relief from sinus infection causes.
This safe and simple sinus infection treatment can be done in the comfort of the office with our Board Certified Otolaryngologist, Dr. Brian Lee. The procedure gently inflates the sinus cavity to clear the blockage and restore the natural flow from the body. If you would like to know more about balloon sinuplasty and how to cure sinus infections permanently, schedule your appointment today and start your journey toward real and lasting sinus infection relief.
How Do Doctors Treat A Sinus Headache
Doctors usually recommend starting with an over-the-counter decongestant and pain reliever. Nasal irrigation also can help. The procedure involves slowly pouring a saline solution into one nostril and allowing it to flow through the nasal cavity and out the other nostril. Nasal irrigation can help wash out mucus and drain some of your congestion.
If these methods do not make you feel better within a few days with, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or nasal steroid to treat the underlying infection. Medical practitioners do their best to avoid unnecessarily prescribing steroids to prevent antimicrobial resistance.
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How To Use Herbs For Sinus Infection
Now that we’ve reviewed what herb is good for sinus congestion, you’re probably excited to start using these botanical allies to treat your clogged sinuses.
There are a few considerations to keep in mind:
- It’s best to use organic herbs since a plant’s properties can be greatly influenced by the soil it grows in. In addition, pesticides and herbicides could actually irritate your symptoms.
- Be careful of dosage. While it may be perfectly safe to have a bag of chrysanthemum tea every hour, others are best used in small quantities.
Natural Sinus Headache Remedies
Some people prefer to go the natural route when treating a sinus headache. Most herbal solutions for nasal pain and congestion work by helping to prevent an infection . So the goal should be five lifestyle changes that can help keep an infection from developing and prevent what feels like your next sinus headache.
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How To Make Sinus Buster Tea
Sinus buster tea is super easy to make!
- You just throw all of the ingredients together in a pot and stir it all together.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Then, you strain the tea and pour it into a mug.
If youre feeling daring, you can add a little fresh minced horseradish or garlic to the mix for an extra cold-fighting boost.
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Natural Remedies For Sinus Headaches
The throbbing in your temples, like the banging of a drum. The pressure behind your eyes, your head, and even your cheekbones. Aching even in your teeth. And lets not forget the tightness in the back of your neck that sometimes extends into your shoulders.
Ah yes, it is another full-blown sinus headache.
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Acute Sinus Infection Home Remedies
Acute sinus infections caused by viruses usually last only 7 to 10 days.
These cases are usually treated by addressing the symptoms rather than the underlying cause .
Common symptoms of acute sinus infections include nasal congestion and blockage, yellow-to-green nasal discharge, decreased sense of smell, postnasal drip, and a feeling of pain, pressure, or fullness in the face.
To help relieve symptoms, particularly sinus pain and stuffiness, without medications, try the following recommendations:
- Pain relievers or fever reducers, such as acetaminophen , ibuprofen , or naproxen
Oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine are not recommended for sinus infections because they may not improve symptoms and can cause side effects.
The 8 Best Herbs For Sinus Infections
Sinus infections are a common occurrence in todays world. In fact, they are one of the most common reasons for clinical visits in the US each year. According to the
Sinus infections are a common occurrence in todays world. In fact, they are one of the most common reasons for clinical visits in the US each year.
According to the National Health Interview Survey, 14.7% of the individuals who were surveyed reported having had sinusitis in the past year.
Sinus infections, also called rhinosinusitis, are one of the top reasons that antibiotics are prescribed. Many consumers are looking for a natural alternative for treating sinus infections.
This article looks at the scientific research behind the best herbs for sinus infections.
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Natural Remedies For Sinus Infections
1. Top Foods & Beverages for Sinus Infections
2. Foods & Beverages to Avoid
3. Oil of Oregano
4. Grapefruit seed extract
5. Vitamin C
6. Garlic
7. Echinacea
8. Neti Pot
9. Add Moisture
10. Essential Oils